LAKE COUNTY – As the heat of summer approaches, the need to conserve water rises. In anticipation of the potential for stretched water supplies, the Lake County Board of County Commissioners will consider an upcoming proclamation that declares the month of April as Florida’s Water Conservation Month.
Lake County is calling upon each citizen and business to help protect this precious resource by practicing water saving measures and becoming more aware of the need to save water.
“Every business, industry, school and citizen can make a difference when it comes to conserving water,” said Lake County Commissioner Jennifer Hill.
In studies from the Lake County Water Authority and the St. Johns River Water Management District, there are quite a few tips residents can use to help conserve water.
In terms of irrigation, less water is needed by landscape vegetation if you water those plants earlier in the morning, sometime between 4am and 7am. You can also hold back from watering your grass until it shows signs of distress, and then only applying one-half to three-quarters of an inch of water to it. You can also reduce the need for watering by choosing water-efficient and drought tolerant landscaping. Check your irrigation system frequently for broken heads, clogged sprinklers or leaks.
When Mother Nature is kind and can offer a good consistent rainfall, don’t use your sprinkler system. Let nature take care of the work! A good rainfall can eliminate the need for watering for as long as two weeks.
When you’re washing cars or watering the lawn, keep these tips in mind as well. Wash vehicles on grassy or mulched areas to reduce runoff into the street and provide additional landscape watering. You should also use a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off nozzle while washing cars or watering plants. Save water by sweeping your driveway instead of hosing it down. And for those with a pool, a water-saving filter can go a long way.
Conservation doesn’t stop when you walk in the house. Check for drips and leaky faucets, pipes and toilets. You can waste about 2,400 gallons of water per year with one leaky faucet. Try installing low-flow fixtures on showerheads and toilets, and operate dishwashers and washing machines only when fully loaded.
“Since water is so integral to maintaining the Lake County environment, Lake County supports water conservation,” said Lake County Manager Cindy Hall. “We do this through enforcement of the Florida Building Code that requires the use of low-flow toilets, faucets and shower heads and automatic irrigation controls that include a rain shut-off device to override the irrigation cycle when adequate rainfall has occurred. In fact, the majority of devices in Lake County facilities exceed code requirements for conservation. Lake County also intends to discuss water conservation at its upcoming board meeting in May.”